New Horizons and Letting Go

It’s been a while since I last posted. There has been an exciting change in my life. I am now the Health Coach and Wellness Program Manager for American Express here in New York City working for the wellness company StayWell. I missed the one-on-one coaching from my days as a personal trainer and I am thrilled to be working individually with employees where I coach on a myriad of topics from weight management and nutrition, to physical activity and stress relief.

Now that I am settled in to my new job and my new commute, there has been another big change, I have given up my group fitness teaching and only teach yoga on the weekend. I have to admit, as much as I love teaching, in the end, I didn’t feel like teaching group fitness was my thing. It didn’t come as naturally as personal training did. Don’t get me wrong, I still love being in front of a crowd and do see myself one day as a motivational speaker (more on that down the road). I simply chose to LET GO of an identity that didn’t entirely feel like my own.

As I get older (I recently turned 48), I am finding it important to let go of things that no longer serve me. Instead, I am embarking on a journey to fill my life with things that I truly enjoy which ultimately help to shape who I am (if you recall from prior posts, 40% of happiness are the things that you choose to do that bring you the most meaning and satisfaction).

I recently read a great book I came across called No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness by Michelle Segar, Ph.D. I thought it would be a great addition to my wellness arsenal and would quench my thirst for all things behavior change (coincidentally my Aunt was reading it and asked me to help her make her own fitness changes). The big take-away: redefine the word exercise more in terms of physical activity to broaden your horizon and make this activity something that you truly enjoy doing to increase your motivation to do it. She explains how to transform physical activity from something perceived as chore into a something perceived as a gift. Read the book to find out how!

I not only took her fitness advice and enjoying exercising outdoors, I am also taking this advice into other areas of my life. For example, I really miss hearty cooking and just bought a new cookbook to explore my love of Spanish food (which brings back memories of my father’s unbelievably delicious cooking and a way to explore my heritage). Once you begin to look at things in your life as gifts (how about life itself!) it’s made me really think about all the things that I love to do that I have put on the back-burner.

This is the fun part. Although it may be hard to let go at first, the one gift you can give yourself is the gift of time to explore the things that ignite your passion – that intrinsic motivation is the key to change. Let’s not sit on the fence any longer.

What are the things that you are ready to let go of to make room for the things that you love to do? What things can your shift from a chore to a gift? You may want to start with exercise, but don’t limit yourself, take a look at your whole life. Whatever the change may be, make the most of it!